Liam Livingstone marked his 50th T20I appearance with a brilliant 87 runs, guiding England to a three-wicket victory over Australia in Cardiff, thereby leveling the three-match series.
In a match that celebrated Australia’s 200th men’s T20I, the visitors set a competitive target of 194 runs after being put in to bat first. Jake Fraser-McGurk was instrumental for Australia, scoring 50 runs off 31 balls and forming a solid opening partnership of 52 with Travis Head, who contributed 31 runs from just 14 deliveries.
Livingstone shone with the ball, claiming two wickets for just 16 runs, alongside Brydon Carse, who also took two wickets for 26. Their efforts helped to stifle Australia, who ended their innings at 193-6, thanks in part to a late surge from Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie.
In response, England initially struggled, but Livingstone’s explosive innings turned the tide. He anchored the chase, and despite Australia’s part-time spinner Matt Short taking 5 wickets for 22 runs, England completed the chase with an over to spare.
Fraser-McGurk Impresses for Australia
After the toss, Australia had a strong start with Head and Short setting the tone. Fraser-McGurk capitalized on the momentum, hitting three consecutive fours off Sam Curran in the final over of the powerplay. After losing Short to Rashid for 28, Fraser-McGurk continued to press on, reaching his maiden T20I half-century before falling to Livingstone’s spin.
Despite some early wickets including Josh Inglis for 42 and Tim David for 1, late contributions from Green and Hardie helped lift Australia to a respectable total.
Livingstone Steers England to Victory
England’s chase started slowly, managing just two runs in the first over before Phil Salt attacked Hardie with three consecutive sixes. However, the introduction of Sean Abbott curtailed the momentum as he took two quick wickets.
Livingstone’s partnership with Salt generated crucial runs, and despite Salt’s departure for 39, Livingstone’s remaining contributions along with recent call-up Jacob Bethell (44 off 24 balls) formed a 90-run stand that proved pivotal in steering England closer to victory.
After Bethell’s dismissal, the match remained tense, but with only one run needed for victory, Rashid hit the winning run off the last ball of the 19th over.
Post-Match Comments
Player of the Match Liam Livingstone expressed his satisfaction: “I feel like I’m getting my body back to normal. It’s nice to play with a smile on my face. Bethell is an incredible talent; he plays fearlessly.”
England captain Phil Salt praised Livingstone’s performance, saying, “It was an incredible performance, and we all know he’s capable of that. I’m really pleased with how the boys have come together.”
What’s Next?
The T20I series concludes at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, followed by the first of five ODIs that takes place four days later in Nottingham.
Credit: Sky Sports
